May 17, 2014
Yellow-Bellied Marmot Carrying A Pup, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

I had another amazing "first" yesterday in Yellowstone National Park when I saw this Yellow-Bellied Marmot or Yellowbelly Marmot (Marmota flaviventris) carrying a pup from one burrow to another. I quickly got some shots from the Jeep shortly after I spotted her, then I set up to photograph from ground level on (hopefully) her next pass. She made four passes while I was there, and this image is from the only location where the pup's whole face is visible. Note that the mother has a bobbed tail, probably from a close call with a coyote.